Headache, Migraine and Facial Pain

If headache pain slows you down, you’ll find compassionate care and hope for healing at the Nuvance Health^® Neuroscience Institute. You receive services from specially trained headache neurologists who understand the many ways headaches can affect your life. Whether the pain is mild or stops you in your tracks, we get to the source so you get relief.

You have access to a broad range of treatment options. Your personalized care plan may include medications, alternative medicine therapies, like acupuncture, or Botox^® injections. Clinical trials may also be available for those who qualify. Our experience helps you receive the careful attention you deserve and get more out of each treatment.

Headache, Migraine and Facial Pain Care at Nuvance Health: Why Choose Us?

Nuvance Health is home to some of the few fellowship-trained headache specialists serving New York’s Hudson Valley and Western Connecticut. Even if the pain is hard to describe or previous treatments have not been successful, we can help you. Highlights of our program include:

Appropriate care
We start by getting to know you, which includes learning your headache history. Our careful approach helps you receive an accurate diagnosis and the therapies that are right for your situation.

Personalized treatments
You can count on us for services that reflect that latest science of headache medicine. We work closely with you on treatment plans that are targeted to your symptoms and preferences. If we prescribe medications, we explain what to expect and help you manage side effects. Care may also include injections or specialized physical therapy.

Clinical trials
We’re exploring new care methods for headache pain through clinical trials. These efforts give eligible patients access to promising new medications and devices before they’re widely available.

Support
Our headache support group helps you feel less alone in your care journey. You meet other people to share experiences and learn new methods for coping with similar challenges.

Types of Headache We Treat

We treat a broad range of headaches, including:

• Migraine, a debilitating neurologic condition that features headaches associated with light and sound sensitivity, sometimes triggered by changes in weather and other factors
• Exertional headaches, which occur due to coughing, exercise or sexual activity
• Hypnic headaches that wake you up from a sound sleep
• High pressure headache due to elevated intracranial pressure like pseudotumor cerebri
• Secondary headaches due to another medical problem, like a concussion, trauma, bleeding, temporal arteritis, and low intracranial pressure among others
• Tension headaches, which stem from abnormal tightness in your neck and upper back muscles

We also treat complex headaches due to problems with nerves in the head or face, including:

• Hemicrania continua
• Occipital neuralgia
• Trigeminal autonomic cephalgias, including cluster headaches
• Trigeminal neuralgia

Migraine Evaluation and Treatment

With migraines, the brain can be sensitive to changes in weather, hormone levels and more. Even though migraines are common, they can be challenging to treat. Doctors and patients throughout the region turn to us because we offer comprehensive care that brings relief.

One difference between migraine and other types of headaches is the combination of symptoms you experience. In addition to head pain, migraines cause:

• At least one type of sensitivity, including light, smell or noise
• And nausea or vomiting

Certain medications can make migraine symptoms worse. We prescribe the medications that are best for your symptoms and in appropriate doses to minimize side effects. Your care may include drugs that lower the risk of future migraine attacks. Additional recommendations, like getting enough water and sleep, also lower this risk.

Facial Pain from Trigeminal Neuralgia

This extremely painful condition occurs when there’s abnormal pressure on the nerves that supply sensation to your face. A light touch can bring a jolt of pain similar to an electric shock. Pain attacks are short but can happen several times a day for weeks at a time. While the condition is rare, you’ll find doctors at Nuvance Health who specialize in diagnosing and treating it.

Trigeminal neuralgia care often includes medications to reduce the number of pain attacks. If symptoms continue worsening, you may need radiation therapy or a surgical procedure. You have access to a range of procedures, some of which are not widely available in the region. Get more information about neurosurgery.

Other Headache Treatments We Offer

Additional headache treatments available at Nuvance Health include:

• Alternative medicine therapies, such as acupuncture
• Biofeedback to promote relaxation and relieve muscle tension
• Botox injections for migraines
• Non-medication options, like the Nerivio^® device
• Physical therapy to relieve stiff head and neck muscles that can cause certain types of headaches
• Nerve blocks and trigger point injections, which deliver numbing medication to tight muscles in the head and neck